Politicians condemn fracas

Those on both sides of the divide slam violence at forum

PETALING JAYA: Politicians from Barisan Nasional and the Opposition have condemned the ugly fracas that marred the “Nothing To Hide 2.0” forum in Shah Alam.

The event erupted into chaos when objects were thrown into the crowd at Dewan Raja Muda Musa. Two flares were also flung into the hall.

Pakatan Harapan chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was responding to a question from the floor during the event on Sunday when the commotion happened.

He was quickly whisked away unharmed by security personnel.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi expressed dismay over the incident, saying that no one should be subjected to violence for having differences in opinions.

“As a country that practises democracy, such an incident should not have happened here.

“Even if we have differences of opinion, violence should not be directed to any individual or leader,” he told reporters after launching the 37th World Congress of International Association for HydroEngineers and Research here yesterday.

Dr Ahmad Zahid, who is also Home Minister, assured that stern action would be taken against the culprits behind the incident.

He also confirmed that the event was held with a permit from the authorities.

Dr Mahathir was answering a question on the 1985 Kampung Memali tragedy in Baling, Kedah, 90 minutes into the session when the disturbance occurred.

He was asked if he would take responsibility for the bloodshed that left 18 people, including four policemen, dead.

He answered that police action at that time was done according to standard operating procedure.

But even as he started speaking, a slipper was flung from the crowd towards the stage, followed by a shoe, several mineral water bottles and a chair.

The scene turned chaotic when two flares were also thrown, one of them towards the section where members of the media were seated.

Meanwhile, press secretary to the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Sariffuddin Tengku Ahmad accused PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali and other Pakatan leaders of making wild allegations that Umno and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak were to blame for the pandemonium.

In a statement, he said it was a “clear attempt” by the Opposition to divert attention from the disintegration of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, of which Dr Mahathir is chairman.

It was also yet another example of the Opposition’s reliance on creating hate and anger against the Government whenever possible, Tengku Sariffuddin said.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr Salleh Said Keruak said the fracas should not be allowed to happen again as it would cause negative repercussions in Malaysian politics.

He criticised Azmin for accusing the Prime Minister of using gangsters to shut down Dr Mahathir.

“Gangster politics is not in our political culture,” said Dr Salleh.

Wanita MCA chief Datuk Heng Seai Kie said while the party’s women wing disagreed with Dr Mahathir’s attacks against the Government, the wing strongly disagreed with violent action.

“It is expected that people of separate political affiliation will hold divergent perspectives. There is no excuse and it is totally unacceptable when a member of the audience flings footwear at anyone, what more at a 92-yearold former statesman, followed by chairs and flares,” she said.

“Even worse, such disruptive and uncivilised behaviour sets the precedent that differences in opinion may only be resolved by physical intimidation and assaults, and not through dialogue and discourse.”

She said the organisers should have requested extra police or Rela presence when hosting a provocative forum that could invite troublemakers.